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Naismith ready for challenge

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Scotland are two points ahead of the Irish in Group D at the halfway stage of the European Qualifiers.

Naismith is aware that one poor result can change the outlook of the group, but believes Scotland can go to Dublin in a confident frame of mind.

“We know how quickly one performance can change the look of the group, but we know what we’ve done in this first half of the campaign we’ve worked so hard for and we believe going into every game we can take something from them,” Naismith said.

“This game will be no different. If you win your home games and put in good performances and take points from the away ones you’ll have a great chance, and that’s what we’ve got to concentrate on.”

Scotland earned a 1-0 victory over Ireland in November at Celtic Park, courtesy of a goal by former Celtic and Wigan striker Shaun Maloney, who is now playing for Chicago Fire in the MLS.

And the 28-year-old expects another tight encounter between the teams in front of the Sky Live cameras at the Aviva Stadium.

Naismith said: “The first game, we feel we deserved to win the game and we did. I’m sure we’ll watch over clips of Ireland and put a gameplan together again and go into the game believing we can win.

“We’ve got a real chance. Looking at the group and how tough it has been, in all the games we’ve looked dangerous, we’ve took the lead in a lot of them, and we’ve held our own at the back, so we’ll just do the same as we have been doing for the rest of the campaign and I’m sure we won’t be far away.”